Capitol Digest
provides an inside look at what happened in state politics this week.
These quick reports offer insight into campaigns, committee meetings and
other goings-on and give an overview of the coming week's events.

JINDAL IMPLEMENTS GOVERNMENT SPENDING FREEZE, WITH EXCEPTIONS

Gov. Bobby Jindal has issued an government spending freeze as a precautionary measure to keep a state budget shortfall at bay. Jindal has ordered similar spending freezes in the past when faced with mid-year financial deficits.

There are several exceptions to the freeze, which would allows departments and officials to continue to spend money. These include any money needs for hurricane or another emergency, any money statewide elected officials deem necessary to do their jobs and any money related to the state's tourism budget.

Private companies, such as Alvarez & Marsal, who Louisiana hired to find ways for the state to save money will also continue to be paid.

HOUSE PASSES BILL ALLOWING FERAL HOG HUNTING, DAY OR NIGHT

The Louisiana House of Representatives advanced a bill that would allow the hunting of feral hogs and coyotes at any time -- day or night -- on private property as long as dogs aren't used. The bill passed 85-10 Wednesday (April 2).

The sponsor of the bill, Rep. Richie Burford, R-Stonewall, said feral hogs -- in particular -- are threatening pecans and other crops in Louisiana. The hogs are smart enough to know that farmers will shoot them during the day, so they often wait until nightfall to come out and eat, he said.

Louisiana is estimated to have more than 500,000 feral hogs. They are prolific breeders. Experts say 75 percent of the wild hog population would have to be killed just to keep it to current levels.

The hog problem isn't just for rural areas either. Feral hogs have been causing significant damage to the West Bank levees, prompting the levee authority to ask the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office for help killing them off. BATON ROUGE LAWMAKER TO RUN FOR JUDGE

State Rep. Alfred Williams will challenge East Baton Rouge Civil District Court Judge Trudy White this November, according to LaPolitics.com.

"She's my friend and a member of my church, but she can't win," LaPolitics.com reported Williams saying of White.

The Baton Rouge Democrat is one of a growing number of legislators planning to run for other offices this year. State Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Bossier City, is also seeking a judgeship in north Louisiana, while state Sen. Elbert Guillory, R-Opelousas, will run for lieutenant governor.

None of the legislators will have to give up their seats to run.

HOUSE PASSES BILL TO BAN SMOKING WITHIN 25 FEET OF STATE OFFICES

The Louisiana House of Representatives passed a bill 78-11 that would prohibit smoking within 25 feet of the entrance of a state office building. It now heads to the Senate.

According to the Legislative Fiscal Office, the state building facilities manual already includes a ban on smoking within 30 feet of the entrance of a state office. This legislation would simply make that smoking ban rule a law.

The fiscal office said there could be an expense associated with the bill. The Office of State Building Facilities currently has "no smoking" signs outside 15 buildings. The signs say people can smoke within 30 feet of the building entrances. They would have to be changed to reflect the 25 feet prohibition. Also, new signs would have to added to 13 of the buildings. The cost of the signs is $200 each, according to the fiscal office.

MOST PEOPLE IN LOUISIANA DON'T LIKE THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

Around 58 percent of people living in Louisiana have a negative view of the Affordable Care Act, according to an annual survey of state citizens conducted by LSU.

Only 12 percent of Louisiana residents said their family was better off because of the federal health care law, a signature piece of legislation for President Barack Obama. About 39 percent of people LSU surveyed said the Affordable Care Act would reduce the overall quality of health care in the country.

"State-wide, we know that fewer than 50,000 Louisiana residents have signed up for a private plan through the Affordable Care Act, so many of these findings are in line with the program's popularity in the state," said Amy Reynolds, director of the Reilly Center and associate dean of graduate studies at the Manship School.

MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Legislative Committee meetings for the week of April 7 can be found here.

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., will address the Press Club of
Baton Rouge. Lunch is
$12 for members
and $15
for nonmembers. (Iberville Room, Belle of Baton Rouge, 102 France St.,
Baton Rouge)